Armed siege man found guilty

8 October 2010, 15:41

A man - who caused an armed siege in Winslow -has been found guilty of several offences today (Friday).

56-year-old David List, of Culmington Road in West Ealing, was found guilty by a jury at Aylesbury Crown Court of committing a bomb hoax, having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, causing criminal damage and breaching a restraining order.

The court heard how David List had been friends with Laura and Ben Boswell when they lived in London, but had become abusive when they moved to Buckinghamshire. He alleged their move was tantamount to abandoning him and was eventually given a restraining order.

On April 15th this year, Mr List tried to break in to a property in Winslow at around 6.45am. After he failed, he rang the doorbell, armed with an imitation firearm. Ben Boswell opened the door but slammed it shut when he saw the pistol.

Mr Boswell called the police and he and his wife barricaded themselves in their bedroom before escaping through a window. Meanwhile, List managed to break in through the backdoor and barricaded himself inside property. He called the police and told them he was planning to commit a citizens arrest on Laura Boswell for committing perjury.

Firearms officers from Thames Valley Police surrounded the house - which List said he had booby trapped. He also told negotiating officers he had demolition charges with him.

At 3pm David List left the house and was arrested. He told police there were no explosives in the house, but items that looked like they were.

When officers searched his house in West Ealing, they found a holster for a replica Browning firearm and a timing pencil (without explosives). They also found the receipt and packaging for a Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor he had used to make a fake improvised explosive device which he had planted at the house in Winslow.

"Protecting the public is top of Thames Valley Police's agenda and we are glad we were able to arrest David List to protect not just the Boswells, but potentially other people from this unpredictable man.

"Making threats by using imitation firearms and explosives is, in the eyes of the law, almost as serious as using the real thing."

In a statement Laura Boswell said:

"I would like to thank the police, the emergency services and the armed forces both for their professionalism and for the kindness shown to us on the day of the attack. I would especially like to thank Det Sgt Ducker and Thames Valley Police, who have worked so hard and have been so supportive during this dreadful time. I am extremely relieved that this terrible period of our lives is now over and my family and I can attempt to return to a normal life."

David List is due to be sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on 3rd December.